Seconds Complete Six-Wicket Victory Over Yorkshire
Fri 21 Apr 2023
By Pete Johnson
We were greeted by much warmer weather, in addition to sunny skies, when we arrived at Kibworth CC for the 4th and final day of the SEC between Leicestershire and Yorkshire. I was on a bit of a short fuse when I arrived as I had been stuck in a traffic jam for over 50 minutes when less than two miles from Kibworth’s ground.
A combination of roadworks, and a broken down vehicle causing the hold up. One good thing to come out of it was that I was able to listen to Zoe Ball chatting to Noel Gallagher on the radio for the entire 50 minutes whilst my vehicle was moving at snail pace.
Leicestershire resumed on 118-2, needing a further 67 runs for victory. Louis Kimber 42* Harry Swindells 22*. With the score on 118 overnight, I thought those two chaps, who dressed in athletics gear, with 118 on their vests advertising directory enquiries back in the day, may have been doing a few laps of the boundary early doors!
In the 6th over of the morning Kimber went to his 50 (7x4) 63b when he steered seamer Dominic Leech down to the ropes, wide of second slip. A couple of overs later, Kimber (52) 72b went caught at slip by Will Fraine off the bowling of Leech. Leech sucking a bit of life out of the County innings.
A splendid innings from Kimber, who also in the 1st innings occupied the crease for a considerable time in testing conditions. Kimber’s two innings in the match, along with his two wickets in Yorkshire’s first innings going a very, very long way towards helping the Foxes secure a victory.
Nick Welch joined Swindells. Seven further overs had elapsed when Welch (14) 27b went caught at short mid wicket by Fraine off of spinner Jack Shutt. County 164-4 from 40.5 overs. Tom Scriven joined Swindells with a further 21 runs needed.
The winning hit came from Swindells, with three runs required for victory, when he played a copybook cover drive off seamer Ben Cliff, that arrowed all along the carpet to the boundary. It coincided with Swindells going to his 50 (5x4) 85b. No doubt Cliff even said Congratulations!
Leicestershire 186-4 from 45.1 overs winning by six wickets, the match concluding at 12.15pm. Swindells 51* Scriven (13*)15b. Scriven has batted three times for the 2nd X1 this season, and has yet to be dismissed, his other scores being 112* and 55*. He may soon be referred to as The Hermit, as you can never get him out.
A great performance by Leicestershire securing victory in two days, and just over half a session, day one being a washout. Leicestershire 19 points Yorkshire 3 points.
Finally, a few thank yous on behalf of LCCC for our time spent at Kibworth in the first of the 2nd XI’s three visits this season. Sincere thanks to Chrissy and Tom for all their hard work on the catering side, and to Ian who helped out on day three. Also, thank you for all the hard work put in on the ground by Darren and Steve, both before, during, and after each day’s play.
On a personal note, my thanks to Rog for the two large bags of sweets he personally delivered to me on day’s three and four, even though it did mean me having to endure a joke about a crocodile....
A full scorecard can be viewed HERE.
